If you’ve ever had a serious toothache, then you know how painful one can be. Whether the pain is throbbing, searing or dull, one thing is for certain—it is a sign that something is seriously wrong. In many cases, a toothache is the primary indicator of an infected tooth.
Your teeth are built to withstand the pressures of chewing and biting, but sometimes something as small as bacteria can lead to trouble. Bacteria in your mouth excrete acids and toxins that if not removed with regular brushing and flossing can lead to tooth decay. Advanced decay can penetrate deep inside a tooth, beyond the enamel and dentin layers and into the pulp chamber and root canals of your tooth. Here is where each tooth’s nerve, lymph and blood vessels are located. So, if infection sets in here, the first sign is usually pain. Other signs of tooth infection include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, then please call Preston Bend Dental, the family dentist who will address your situation immediately.
A root canal is a special procedure for treating an infected tooth. Most dental problems concern the tooth's outer protective layer of enamel, such as a cavity, for example. But an injury or poor oral health can cause a problem to develop inside the tooth, where the nerve is located. When this happens, removing all traces of infection - plus the nerve itself - is vital for restoring oral health. This is what happens during a root canal procedure.
Once you're comfortable, 75024 dentist Dr. Madhav will access the center of your tooth and begin cleaning it. During your procedure, we'll remove all traces of infection and any accompanying debris, plus the material that makes up the tooth's pulp chamber—the blood, nerve and lymph tissue. Fortunately, a tooth is able to function perfectly fine without the contents of the pulp chamber.
Then, once your tooth has been hollowed out and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, we'll fill it with a safe, biocompatible substance known as gutta-percha. This expands to fill the empty interior of your tooth and prevent the return of infection. The tooth is then sealed and then as the very last step in the process, your tooth is prepared for a custom-made crown that will be placed over the tooth, fully restoring its strength, function, and appearance. To further treat the infection, Plano, TX, dentist Dr. Madhav may prescribe an oral antibiotic.
Do you need to have an infected tooth treated? Call Preston Bend Dental to learn more about root canal therapy. We offer restorative care to patients from Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and beyond.
